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BrokenPotato

Updated 10mo ago

Help! I Can't Stop Picking at My Face

I can’t stop picking at my face when I’m bored, stressed or anxious. I’ve got acne as it is and it makes my face look so bad. I always regret it when I look in the mirror and feel guilt and shame, but at the time I cannot stop. How can I stop doing it and stop hating myself for it?

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catlover55

1y

Don't hate yourself for it. I know just saying that doesn't do any good, but I know what you're feeling, and it's not worth it to let this define you. I struggled with picking my scalp for all of last year, and I wasn't able to stop. It got to the point that my scalp was always raw and open wounds so that no one would want to even braid my hair. The thing is, the more you think about it, the more likely you are to do it. If you learn to accept yourself how you are, you won't care what others think, which may help with the anxiety portion. One thing that helped me was keeping my hands busy with a fidget toy. I also had people around me who were willing to call me out when they noticed me picking. I don't know if this is any help, but just know that you are not your struggles. You can overcome this, and it doesn't make you any less valuable or beautiful.
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BrokenPotato

1y

thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions, I really do appreciate it 💕 sometimes fidget toys will help but sometimes I still can’t stop 😕 I feel like it really does make me less beautiful though because I struggle with self-esteem, but it is really nice to hear that thank you. I’m sorry you struggled with it too, I’m here if you ever want to chat 😌
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Zstephaniet

1y

Hi! I feel the most important thing with understanding trich is understanding it’s not something YOU are doing it’s a disorder that is triggered by something. it can help by going through and figuring out common triggers in your life. For me stress or anxiety triggers mine and the key reason my trich was bad before I got to know it was because I was stressing over my trich! So it was a constant loop I had to get out of slowly. I started to understand it’s not my fault and started teaching others about the disorder and to stick up for myself when others would belittle me because they didn’t understand. I did also find way to hide it which helped me not think about it as well until my eyelashes started growing back. But as you age you’ll find new ways to manage things in life and it will get better and manageable!
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BrokenPotato

1y

thank you for your suggestions, I really appreciate it! 💕 I didn’t know that, thank you for the information. I definitely struggle with a lot of stress due to ocd, and anxiety too. It’s not something I’ve been able to control. I’m so happy for you that you were able to stop doing it, I’m here if you ever want to chat 😌

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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